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Re: help! shingles, pumping, travel etc.

i'm also afraid my baby won't get enough if i nurse on one side and pump on the other. now that my supply finally adjusted i make just enough for her. each boob makes 50% of her milk. yesterday i tried just the left and it wasn't enough and i ended up letting her have the right one to get enough (even though i'm afraid there's a lesion forming on the areola).

Re: help! shingles, pumping, travel etc.

Susan, do you think I can adjust the supply so that the left side will make more than the right (pumped side)? that would be ideal in my situation. Would that work itself out if I nurse her often on the left and pump not so often on the right?

Re: help! shingles, pumping, travel etc.

Yep. And actually, that is a smart idea, as when this passes you will then have two breasts to use and can avoid some of the lopsideness that one-sided nursing can result in.

Massage, compressions, pumping frequently, all help drain your breast. It will also get easier with time and practice. It seriously took me like a week when I had to start EPing for Gavin to really get it.

I did pretty well with a hand pump for some years, but the electric will let you nurse at the same time with a hands free bra.

Re: help! shingles, pumping, travel etc.

thanks. I must say that I have thought about temporarily weaning the right breast, just because it is so sore with the lesions. I think they'll get worse before they get better, from what I hear.

I woke up today with a little plug and gave in and let baby nurse again. I practically wrapped this breast in bandages. This was an issue b/c she started to clamp down with her teeth as the bandages threw her off. But today for some reason she was able to latch on painlessly and nurse even with all the dressings. I keep postponing pumping but I think I will have to try it again, esp. if the lesions get worse.

The problem with massaging and compressions is that the breast is so sore b/c of the lesions that I can't really manipulate it that much. Too bad, b/c it makes a lot of sense and I am sure it would help. I am also afraid of hurting the breast if I pump for too long or too strongly. Not sure what a normal pumping session should be!

The pain and exhaustion are also keeping me from thinking straight these days... thank you again for being here.

Re: help! shingles, pumping, travel etc.

Originally Posted by @llli*aprilsmagic

15-20 minutes of pumping is enough. But without massage, you can't drain it very well

Hope you feel better soon.

I see. Since I can't massage it, I wonder if I'd be better off weaning that side for a couple of weeks (they say it may take 2-4 weeks to heal)? And how does one go about doing this? (Should I post this thread somewhere else?)

Sorry for so many questions. I am so overwhelmed. Usually I'd research all this online and in my books but because we're on this trip visiting my in-laws I don't have a lot of time online. Plus I trust you more than a random website!

Re: help! shingles, pumping, travel etc.

Umm, your child has already been exposed to the virus AND had the CP vaccine...so why don't you just cover the lesions and nurse her??? Wouldn't that solve all these issues?

All over the world there exists in every society a small group of women who feel themselves strongly attracted to giving care to other women during pregnancy and childbirth. Failure to make use of this group of highly motivated people is regrettable and a sin against the principle of subsidiary. ~ Dr. Kloosterman, Chief of OB/GYN, Univ. of Amsterdam, Holland

**Leslie**

Mama to: Shiloh (5/6/06) Nursed for 13 months and Josephine (7/26/08) Nursed for 23.5 mos Currently nursing my new little firecracker,Finley Catherine, born on the 4th of July!!